River Rapid Ratings

The International Scale of River Difficulty is a widely accepted rating system. Ratings range from Class 1 (the easiest) to Class 6 (the most difficult). What to expect for each class is outlined below.

Class 1 -- few ripples, maybe some small waves and few, if any, obstacles

Class 2 -- easy rapids with waves up to 3 feet; wide channels with little manuevering necessary

Class 3 -- more difficult rapids with waves large enough to swamp a canoe; narrow passages requiring manuvering

Class 4 -- large, long and difficult rapids that usually require precise manuvering

Class 5 -- terrifically difficult, extended and often violent rapids with constricted passageways (fantastically fun)

Class 6 -- generally considered unrunnable even with a Mountain Dew